Trump Declares Iran Hostilities ‘Terminated’ as War Powers Deadline Arrives
U.S. President Trump delivered a formal letter to Congress on Friday evening declaring that “hostilities with Iran have terminated,” according to Axios and Reuters. The declaration arrives precisely as the 60-day authorization deadline under the War Powers Act expires, igniting a fierce debate in Washington over the scope of presidential war powers.
The Critical Timeline
Reuters reports that Trump’s letter reached Congress just hours before the statutory deadline. The letter stated: “We have achieved our objectives in Iran, and hostilities are now terminated.” Concurrently, Trump submitted a separate memorandum to Congress explaining why he does not require formal congressional authorization for the military campaign.
Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, a president who initiates military action without congressional approval must either withdraw forces within 60 days or obtain congressional authorization. This declaration represents the White House’s attempt to close the legal controversy before the deadline lapses.
Divided Congressional Response
The Washington Post reports that the congressional reaction split along sharply partisan lines. Republican leadership called Trump’s decision “responsible and in America’s interest,” while several Democratic lawmakers argued the president’s interpretation of the War Powers Act “lacks legal grounding.”
A Democratic senator on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated: “A president cannot sidestep constitutional constraints simply by declaring an operation ’terminated.’ The legal basis for this conflict remains murky, and Congress must reassert its role in war-making decisions.”
Implications for the Middle East
Despite Trump’s declaration, tensions in the Middle East have not fully subsided. CBS News’ live updates show Trump expressing dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest peace proposal, suggesting the costs of the standoff continue to accumulate.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded that it would “carefully assess” the U.S. statement but emphasized that any durable peace arrangement must include the lifting of unilateral sanctions and respect for Iranian sovereignty. Analysts suggest the gap between the two sides’ positions remains significant, and genuine negotiations may still require weeks or months to materialize.
Market Impact
Following the announcement, international oil prices experienced volatility. Brent crude fell by as much as 2% intraday before partially recovering as the market factored in ongoing shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts noted that even with the formal termination of hostilities, a geopolitical risk premium on Middle Eastern energy supplies is likely to persist.
Source: Axios · Reuters · The Washington Post